Butter-cutter.



0. r. NUTTER. BUTTER CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 31, 1913.

2. SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented. 0011.27, 1914.

Charles 1. Walker, by

a a 2 6 m Y a EEEEE E mummmmmm THE NORRIS PEYERS 5a.. PHOTO-LITNO.,WASHINGTON, D. c.

v 141mm 0. P. NUTTER.

BUTTER CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. a1, 1913.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

w2 SHIRTS-SHEET 2.

IVihwsscs:

UNITED S ATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES P. NUTTER, F MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

BUTTER-CUTTER.

Application filed December 31, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES P. NUTTER, acitizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Malden, inthe county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Butter-Cutters, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for cutting butter into small piecesfor individual use, the principal object of the invention being toprovide a machine of-this class particularly adapted for use in hotels,restaurants, and the like, although it is self-evident that the machinemay be adapted for home use.

The invention consists of a receptacle having walls nonconductive ofheat and provided with a plunger adapted to force a predetermined amountof butter through a discharge opening at one end, said ejected butterthen being cut off by a pivoted knife normally closing the .opening andmovable about its pivot by a handle which also controls the operation ofthe plunger.

The invention further consists in certain novel features of constructionand arrangement of parts which will be fully under stood by reference tothe description of the drawing and to the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 represents a central vertical section of amachine embodying the principles of the present invention, the cuttingplane being on line 11 on Fig. 2. Fig. 2 represents a plan of same, withthe upper closure removed and showing in section the walls of thereceptacle and a portion of the inner cover thereof. Fig. 3 representsan inverted plan of the same. Fig. 1 represents a horizontal section,looking upwardly, the cutting plane being on line -14= on Fig. 1. Fig. 5represents a detail showing the scale on the receptacle, a portion ofthe upper closure, and the handle for operating the plunger. Fig. 6repre-' sents an elevation of a portion of the threaded spindle of theplunger and its operating nut, showing in section the movablelevercarrying plate and a portion of the inner cover. Fig. 7 representsa partial plan similar to Fig. 2, with the movable plate and operatinglever in position to operate the plunger, and Fig. 8 represents asectional detail showing the means for keeping moistened the operatingedge of the knife or cutter,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914:.

Serial No. 810,509.

the cutting plane being on line 88 on Fig. 3.

Similar characters designate like parts throughout the several figuresof the drawings.

In the drawings, 10 is a base supported by means of the legs 11 andhaving centrally disposed therein a discharge opening 12, the upper endof which has a flaring wall 13. Supported on the outer edge of theflaring wall 13 is a cylinder 141 and superimposed upon the base plate10 is a larger cylinder 15. The space between the cylinders 14 and 15 isfilled with ground cork 16 or some similar material which isnonconductive of heat. The cylinders 14.15 form the wall of a receptacle17 in which is positioned a reciprocating plunger having a centrallythreaded spindle 19. Between the upper ends of the cylinders let and 15is interposed an annular member 20, to which is threaded a plurality ofradial screws 21 having reduced ends 22 projecting into depressions inthe periphery of the inner cover 23 of the re ceptacle 17. When thescrews 21 are in the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawingsthe inner cover 23 of the receptacle 17 is locked in place and cannot bemoved either about the axis of the receptacle 17 or lengthwise thereof.

.Centrally disposed in the cover 23 and threaded to the spindle 19 is aflanged nut 2 1, the outer end of which has secured thereto a disk 25having its periphery serrated or roughened as indicated at 26 in Fig. 6of the drawings. Between the disk 25 and the outer face of the cover 23is a plate 27 freely movable around the periphcry of the nut 2-4. Thisplate 27 is provided with the stud 28 forming a pivot for the lever 29having an outwardly extending handle 30 secured thereto. The plate 27 isprovided with a stop lug 31 limiting the movement of the lever 29 in onedirection about its pivot 28. Secured to the upper face of the cover 23is a plate 32 normally bearing against the opposite side of said leverIt is obvious that if the handle 30 is moved in the direction of thearrow a on Fig. 2 of the drawings, the toe of the lever 29 bearingagainst the plate 32 will cause the plate 27 to be moved in the direction of said arrow about the axis of the nut 24:. The plate 27 isprovided with a cam slot 33 in which is positioned a curved finger 3 1secured to the upper end of an .oscillating shaft 35 the lower end ofwhich has secured thereto the pivoted cutting knife 36, normally closingthe discharge opening 1.2 in the bottom of the receptacle 17. It isobvious that when the handle 30 is moved in the direction of the arrowa, the cam slot 33 will act upon the finger 34: to move it into theposition shown in Fig.

7 of the drawings, thereby moving the out 7 ting knife 36 out of'alinement with the discharge opening 12. The outer end of the cuttingknife 36 is curved to fit the curved plate 37 secured to the under faceof the base 10 by means of the screws 38, said grooved plate 37retaining the cutting knife in contact with the under face of said base10. When the movable plate 27 has been moved into the position indicatedin Fig. 7 of the drawings, the spring plate 39 secured to the lever 29will engage the serrations 26 in the periphery of the disk 25 and thecontinuation of the movement of the handle 30 will cause a rotation ofthe nut 2-1: which being immovable endwise and threaded to the spindle19 will lower the plunger 18 a predetermined distance. The distance theplunger is to be moved may be readily regulated by means of the stopmember 10 secured in position by means of the screws 11 threaded to theholes 12 in the in the direction of the arrow a, its movement iscontinued until the movable plate 27 comes into contact with the stopmember 40 and then a given quantity of the butter or other material inthe receptacle 17 has been forced through the discharge opening 12. Thehandle 30 is then moved in the opposite direction and when the toe 13 ofthe plate 27 comes into engagement with the end of the finger 3 1-, thisfinger 34: will be returned to its normal position in the cam slot 33,at the same time moving the oscillating shaft 35 about its axis andcausing the cutting knife 36 to sever the projecting material. Tofacilitate the severing of the material it is preferable to keep thecutting edge of the knife 36 dampened at all times, and for this purposea hollow member 14: is provided, said member being yieldingly heldagainst the under face of the base 10 and'the cutting edge of the knife36 by means of the spring member 45 secured to the under face of thebase 10.

This hollow member 14; is preferably triangular in shape, as indicatedin. Fig. 8 of the drawings, with one angle thereof immediately beneaththe edge of the discharge opening 12. When the knife 36 passes throughthe butter or other material the cutting edge of the knife will comeinto contact with this angular portion of the member 4 1. The butterwill be separated from said knife, passing down the inclined inner face46 of said member. The member 14, which is removable, is provided with aclosing plug 47 and when the machine is in use this member 44 is filledwith water and closed by said plug. The member 1 1 is preferably made ofwood or some similar material through which the water may graduallypercolate and keep the knife edge moistened and ready for use at alltimes.

To the under face of the plunger 18 is secured a diametral blade 18, theedges of which conform to the inclinations of the flaring wall 13. Theend of the spindle 19 opposite to the plunger 18 is provided with somemeans, such as the squared end 19, for turning the same within the nut24:. When the plunger 18 has reached its lowest position and it isdesired to clean out the receptacle preparatory to putting in a freshsupply of butter or other material, the plunger may be rotated with theedges of the blade 48 in contact with the flaring wall 13, this beingaccomplished by means of a wrench applied to the squared end 49. Thiswill scrape the material from the wall 13 so that all old material willbe completely removed preparatorry to the insertion in the receptacle ofthe fresh supply. The plunger is then moved into its upper position withits upper face in contact with the 'lower face of the inner cover 23.inner cover 23. \Vhen the lever 30 is moved 'While in use the upper endof the threaded spindle 19 is protected by means of a tubular closure 50having an apron 51 fitting over the upper end of the cylinder 15 asindicated clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This apron 51 is providedwith a slot 52 through which extends the handle 30. It is obvious,therefore, that every time the handle 30 is moved in either directionabout the .aXis of the spindle 19 the closure 50-51 will .be turnedtherewith. This apron 51 is provided with an index 53 and immediately;below the edge of the apron is a scale 54 iwhich is adapted to coactwith the index 53 to indicate the number of small pieces being 'cut froma pound of material when the hanfdle is moved into a predeterminedposition. For instance, if, when the handle is moved against the stop40, the index 53 registers with the 30 line of the scale 5i, it would befclearly shown that at each operation of the ;handle 30, 1/30th of apound of material is being severed from the material within thereceptacle. When new butter or other material is to be inserted withinthe receptacle 17, it is necessary to remove the closure 5051 and thenturn the screws 21 sufficiently to disengage the reduced ends 22:thereof from the cover 23 so that said cover with its nut 2d andoperating mechanism :may be removed intact.

Along the cutting edge of the knife 36 and projecting beyond the outerface thereof is a rib 55, one face of which is in alinementwith thecutting edge of said knife. The purpose of this rib 55 isto make aclearance between the severed portion of the material and that fromwhich it is severed so that the two parts will not adhere as would bethe case if a straight blade were used. This is an important feature ofthe invention. v

While the projecting member 48 serves to clean out the receptacle, italso serves another purpose, inasmuch as it projects into the mass ofbutter and holds the spindle 19 from turning about its axis during therotation of the nut 24. This is of considerable importance as without itthe plunger 18 would be liable to slip over the upper surface of thebutter and permit the spindle 19 and nut 24 to turn together, in whichcase either no material would be forced through the discharge opening oruneven amounts would be discharged which would be very objectionable. I

By means of the filling material 16, which is non-conductive of heat,the butter is kept cool under ordinary conditions. When the machine isin operation, the knife 36 is normally positioned beneath the dischargeopening 12 and closes the same, preventingthe discharge of any portionof the butter until the handle 30 is operated. When this handle isoperated the knife 36 is first moved out of alinement with the opening12 and then the plunger 18 is moved downwardly a required distance,forcing a predetermined amount of any portion of the butter until thehandle 30 is operated. When this handle is operated the knife 36 isfirst moved out of alinement with the opening 12 and then the plunger 18is moved downwardly a required distance, forcing a predetermined amountof butter or other material through the discharge opening, after whichthe knife passes through this projecting mass and severs it from thebutter remaining within the recep tacle. The butter thus severed willdrop onto any butter plate or other receptacle placed beneath thedischarge opening 12, thus dispensing with all necessity for hand lingthe butter to be served.

While the machine is particularly adapted for use in hotels andrestaurants, it is quite obvious that it may be equally well adapted forhome use ormany other purposes.

It is believed that the operation and many advantages of this machinewill be fully apparent from the foregoing description.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a dis charge opening in one end; a plunger therein provided witha centrally extending threaded member; a pivoted knife normally closingsaid discharge opening; a nut for said threaded member; and means formoving said knife horizontally about its pivot v out of alinement withsaid discharge opening, then operating said nut to move said plunger agiven distance, and then returning said knife to its normal position.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a dis charge opening in one end; a plunger in said receptacleprovided with a threaded spindle; a revoluble nut thereon immovableendwise; means for rotating said nut; a diametricalblade extending fromthe operating face of said plunger; and means for rotating said threadedspindle in said nut.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a dis charge opening in one end; a reciprocating plunger therein;a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening; means formoving said knife horizontally about its pivot; and stationary means formoistening the cutting edge of said knife during each oscillation ofsaid knife.

4:. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening in one end; a reciprocating plunger therein;a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening; means formoving said knife in a horizontal plane about its pivot; and a hollowmember normally in contact with the edge of said knife and adapted tocontain liquid and through the walls of which the liquid is adapted topercolate and moisten said knife.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening in one end; a reciprocating plunger therein;a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening; means formoving said knife about its pivot; and a hollow member normally held inyielding contact with the edge of said knife and adapted to containliquid and through the walls of which the liquid is adapted to percolateand moisten said knife.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving double walls and a discharge opening at one end; a fillingbetween said walls nonconductive of heat; a plunger in said receptacleprovided with a threaded spindle; a cover for said receptacle; arevoluble nut mounted. therein threaded to said spindle and immovableendwise; means for rotating said nut and thereby moving said plunger;and a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening and adaptedto be moved in a horizontal plane out of alinement therewith during theoperation of said plunger, and then sever the material forced throughsaid opening.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening at one end; a reciprocating plunger in saidreceptacle; a pivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover forsaid receptacle; a flanged nut centrally disposed in said cover; a disksecured to said nut; a movable plate surrounding said nut between saiddisk and cover; a member pivoted to said plate adapted to coact withsaid disk to rotate said nut; and a spindle secured to said plunger andthreaded to said nut.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening at one end; a reciprocating plunger in saidreceptacle; a pivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover forsaid. receptacle; a flanged nut centrally disposed in said cover; a disksecured to said nut; a movable plate surrounding said nut between saiddisk and cover; a lever pivoted to said plate and provided with a springmember adapted to coact with said disk to rotate said nut; and a spindlesecured to said plunger and threaded to said nut.

9. In a machine of the class described the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closingsaid, opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptaclehaving a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nut thereforrevoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable aboutsaid nut provided with a stop lug; a lever pivoted to said plate; aserrated disk secured to said nut and revoluble therewith; a yieldingmember secured to said lever adapted to engage the serrations on saiddisk; and a stop member secured to said cover and normally engaging saidlever.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closingsaid opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptaclehaving a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nutthereforrevoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable aboutsaid. nut provided with a stop lug and having a cam slot in its outeredge; a lever pivoted to said plate; a serrated disk secured to said nutand revoluble therewith; a yielding member secured to said lever adaptedto engage the serrations on said disk; a stop member secured to saidcover and normally engaging said lever; an oscillating shaft forming thepivot for said knife; and a curved finger secured thereto normallypositioned in said slot.

11. In a machine of the class described,v

the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; apivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover for saidreceptacle; a plunger in said receptacle having a threaded spindleextending through said cover; a nut therefor revoluble in said cover butimmovable endwise; a plate movable about said nut provided with a stoplug; a lever pivoted to said plate; a serrated disk secured to said nutand revoluble therewith; a yielding member secured to said lever adaptedto engage the serratlons on said disk; a stop member secured lever; anoscillating shaft forming the pivot for said knife; a curved fingersecured thereto normally positioned in said slot; and an adjustablestopsecured to said cover adapted to limit the movement of said plate aboutthe axis of said nut.

12. In a machineof the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closingsaid opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptaclehaving a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nut thereforrevoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable aboutsaid nut provided with a stop lug; a lever pivoted to said plate;

joluble therewith; a yielding member secured to said lever adapted toengage the serra- 10I1S on said disk; a stop member secured to saidcover and normally engaging said lever; an oscillating shaft forming thepivot for said knife; a curved finger secured thereto normallypositioned in said slot;.an adjustable stop secured to said coveradapted to limit the movement of said plate about the axis of said nut;and a tubular memspindle and provided with an apron fitted over saidreceptacle and having a slot therein through which said lever extends.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closingsaid opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptaclehaving a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nut thereforrevoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable aboutsaid nut provided with a stop lug; a lever pivoted to said plate; aserrated disk secured to said nut and revoluble therewith; a yieldingmember secured to said lever adapted to engage the serrations on saiddisk; a stop member secured to said cover and normally engaging saidlever; an oscillating shaft forming the pivot for said knife; a curvedfinger secured thereto normally positioned in said slot; an adjustablestop secured to said cover adapted to limit the movement of said plateabout the axis of said nut; and a tubular member adapted to protect theupper end of said spindle and provided with an apron fitted over saidreceptacle and having a slot therein through which said lever extends,said apron having an index adapted to coact with a scale on theperiphery of said cylinder to indicate the amount of material to beforced from said discharge opening,

14. In a machine of the class described,

a serrated disk secured to said nut and rev to said cover and normallyengaging said ber adapted to protect the upper end of said a receptaclehaving a discharge opening at one end; a plunger therein provided With athreaded spindle; a revoluble nut thereon immovable endWise; a movableknife normally closing the discharge opening; an operating handle; andmechanism controlled by said handle for moving said knife out ofalinement With said opening, then rotating said nut to force the plungertoward said opening and then returning said knife to its normal positionand during said return movement cutting ofi' a part of the materialforced through the opening.

15. In a machine of the class described, a receptacle having a dischargeopening at one end; a plunger in said receptacle adapted to forcematerial through said opening; and a movable knife adapted to sever thematerial provided with a rib along its cutting edge projecting beyondthe outer face thereof.

16. In a machine of the class described, a receptacle having a dischargeopening at one end; a plunger in said receptacle adapted to forcematerial through said opening; and a movable knife adapted to sever thematerial provided With a rib along its cutting edge projecting beyondthe outer face thereof, and having an inclined face in alinement Withsaid cutting edge.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptaclehaving a discharge opening in one end; a plunger in said receptacleprovided With a threaded spindle; a revoluble nut thereon immovableendivise; means for rotating said nut; means extending downwardly fromthe operating face of said plunger into the material and adapted toprevent the rotation of the plunger during the'rotation of said nut; and

means for rotating said threaded spindle in said nut.

Signed by me at a Post Ofiice Sq., Boston, Mass, this 27th day ofDecember, 1913.

CHARLES P. NUTTER. Witnesses:

WALTER E. LoMBARD, NATHAN O. LOMBARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

